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Friday, August 4

For several years, when I lived quite another life in northern California, I bought and sold and amassed collections of all manner of 1920s-1950s stuff. (The selling was a direct result of too much amassing.) I no doubt trekked dozens of miles at antique malls and outdoor flea markets, searching for everything from colorful pottery and catalin jewelry to lucite purses and Art Deco chrome.

Now I collectrocks and bird nests. (Though I still have many of my earlier finds. Most are safely tucked away in boxes, but certain items have escaped confinement and are haphazardly scattered around the The Shack. There are, for instance, five 1930s bakelite radios staring down at me from a shelf above my computer. Below the shelf, four fluffy kittens from the same era are forever cavorting around a fishbowl in a small, rectangular print. A brightly flowered curtain from the 1940s covers an unused door in my office.)

But I digress. Anyway, yesterday I put the sheep in a large Donkey Daycare Grazing Pen for a while. There are two enormous sycamore trees in this pen, and below them are piles of large branches that broke off during the recent storms. During their midday rest period, the sheep happily nestled in the shade amongst the debris. While I was carefully picking my way through it to check on everyone, I found this glorious nest laying on the ground--no doubt knocked out of the sky along with all of the branches.

I probably have at least two dozen bird nests by now. Most of them are startingly different from one another, but even the ones that were obviously crafted by the same species of bird are each unique creations. I don't think there will ever be a time when I am not in awe of a bird nest. I become mesmerized and find myself staring at them, trying to figure out how in the world I could even come close to constructing something so precise and perfect using nothing but my mouth.

Most of my bird nests are between three and four inches wide, but this new one measures six inches across. It is somewhat similar in size and shape to this nest I found last year. While I have yet to find the time to research what types of birds built each of my nests, I know exactly what kind of bird built this one--a very smart one! This has got to be the warmest, woolliest bird nest in the world. Click here if you would like to see the underside and a close-up of the construction detail.

I think this is a good time to mention that I only collect bird nests that are obviously no longer being used. Most of them are found on the ground. I do have a couple of nests that still contained teeny tiny, unbroken eggs when I discovered them, but even these had obviously been abandoned. Someday I will get around to photographing more of my collection (and some other day we will build a proper case in which to display them all). Each of these nests is truly a work of art. And as you can see, I easily get carried away talking about them.

Looking back each day at the photo I posted a year ago has been very interesting. I don't look ahead, preferring the daily surprise instead. This means (as you may have noticed) that sometimes I find myself posting new photos that are amazingly similar to ones I posted right around the same time last year. The surprise lilies are a case in point.

But rather than feeling embarrassed by these inadvertent repetitions, I am taking comfort in the fact that although it often feels as if everything is always changing, there are some things around the farm that do remain the same year after year. And fortunately many of them are things of quietbeauty (orcuteness).

18 comments:

Isn't is amazing how the rythym of life can have it's comfort though too? Even though it may seem it "repeats" in a cycle of sorts, there is nothing that is aways exactly the same as before, but its similar enough that we find solace in that "sameness".

I collect bird nests and heart rocks too! After storms my boys and I like to survey our land for any fallen bird nests. The one I have been most intrigued over is a "double wide" built on top of a stack of toys on our back deck. A batman cave covered the toys, and the little bird would fly in and out of the cave opening. I'm not sure why she would build two nests within one, and the eggs she laid were as tiny as a jelly bean with little red dots on them. I think living on a farm you come to appreciate the simple things - thus my love for heart rocks and bird nests!

I like your observations about the surprise of each new day, and your photos certainly do reflect your outlook. Indeed, looking back at the pix of a year ago really brings us to a different place.

And there's a lot to be said for waking up not knowing what new beauty Nature will bring us today. Great photos, as always--what a gorgeous bird's nest that is. The wild birds at your house are grateful for the sheep, to be sure!

I put out wool after the sheep were sheared and couldn't tell if the birds took any or not. I thought they would so thanks for sharing.

I've also used some for mulch in the garden. I've washed some and used it for a cat bed. Won't be spinning it, but if you have other uses, I'm interested. I have a heart rock, other rock and natural material collection going too. Amazing you only have to step out the door to find inspiring art. I also love the items I remember as a child in my grandmother's house. I have some of her's and others I've picked up and use.

Now I'm having nest-envy! It's sure a keeper with everyone's wool in it. Ilama too?I'm a quartz freak, and have an herb bed made with it. Quartz speaks to me as I walk, then it lines my pockets. :-)Paint

I have heard that if you snip your leftover, bright colored yarns and ribbons into pieces and scatter them about the yard it will help you spot the nests while they are still in the trees. Then, you can keep an eye on them until the nests fall to the ground.

Nice idea from Marylou/tx. You know FG, in a way you do 'construct something precise & perfect using only your mouth' your blog, silly!! Look at all of the great comments and joy to be found on these very pages.

I just got sent a stupid email with pics of millionaire's boats & planes meant to 'motivate or depress' me - it did neither. These gin palaces have nothing in life that I want or need. I think I'll return the favour and send them a weblink to your blog - perhaps they'll 'get' the message then.

I found a little bird's nest too this summer and it's still in my shed awaiting display - perhaps as a little planter. Have a great day. X

What a gorgeous, cozy looking nest! I leave my dog's hair outside after I brush her, hoping that it will keep some little bird warm at night. It's nice to see that some of them put such fine resources to good use.I have to tell you that while I was on vacation last week, I stumbled upon the most amazing heart rock on the beach and thought of you. I guess I've got the beginnings of my own collection!

I found my first birdnest (ever)a few months back. We had a terrible storm which knocked the nest to the ground. No baby birds or eggs were found ay where so I think it may have been an older one. Heres a link to my blog entry showing how we chose it's display.(thought I would share- if you would like to check it out) http://unusuallyunusualfarmchick.blogspot.com/2006/07/nest-with-1st-timer-eggsgoat-see-goat.htmlAlways leave smiling when I visit your blog.Thank you...

December 2015 update: Hi! For some reason I can't figure out, Blogger hasn't been letting me leave comments on my own blog (!) for the last several months, so I've been unable to respond to your comments and questions. My apologies for any inconvenience! You're always welcome to email me: farmgirlfare AT gmail DOT com.

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